ALEXANDRIA and McLEAN, Va. -

Leadership from the American International Automobile Dealers Association and the National Automobile Dealers Association said they were “deeply sorry to learn” and “saddened” about American Suzuki’s decision to leave the U.S. automobile market.

ASMC outlined its strategy for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, saying warranties will be honored, and service will be provided without interruption through the company’s parts and service network.

“NADA is saddened to learn that American Suzuki will exit the U.S. car and truck market,” chairman Bill Underriner said in a statement on Tuesday. “Of course, all of us are especially concerned about the impact on Suzuki customers and dealers.

“We are pleased to hear that Suzuki intends to honor all warranties and plans to maintain a parts and service network. But the announcement is, nevertheless, devastating to the more than 200 Suzuki dealers operating in the U.S.,” Underriner continued.

“NADA will do everything possible to ensure that Suzuki dealers and vehicle owners are treated fairly through this difficult wind-down process,” he went on to say.

As part of its Chapter 11 filings, ASMC said it plans to specify how its relationship with dealers will be largely transitioned to support consumers and dealers through continued parts and service operations.

The company reiterated when it made its filing late Monday that it intends to work within its current U.S. automotive dealer network to help structure a smooth transition from new-vehicle sales to exclusively parts and service operations, or, in some instances, an “orderly” wind down of dealership operations.

Furthermore, ASMC added that it intends to market and sell its remaining U.S. automobile inventory through its automotive dealer network.

“Through and after the restructuring, all warranties will be fully honored and automobile parts and services will be provided to consumers through the dealer network,” officials said. “ASMC intends to honor any automobile buyback agreements that are currently in place with financial institutions.”

AIADA president Cody Lusk pointed out that Suzuki had been in the American automobile market for 27 years.

“I am deeply sorry to learn that American Suzuki is withdrawing from the United States auto market,” Lusk said in a statement released on Tuesday. “Over the next months, AIADA will work with Suzuki’s more than 200 American franchises to ensure that they have the information and tools they need to move forward while continuing to service their customers.

“America’s nearly 10,000 international nameplate franchises employ 400,000 Americans and are vital contributors to our economy and our communities,” he continued. “It is always difficult to lose a manufacturer from those ranks; today our thoughts are with Suzuki’s dealers and employees.”